Method and apparatus for steering traffic in wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for steering traffic in a wireless communication system are provided. User equipment (UE) within a visitor public land mobile network (VPLMN) transmits to a network, access network discovery and selection functions (ANDSF)-related information including information on at least a home ANDSF (H-ANDSF) set by a home PLMN (HPLMN) and/or a visitor ANDSF (V-ANDSF) set by the VPLMN. The UE receives, from the network, the traffic steering information generated through the network on the basis of the ANDSF-related information, and steers the traffic on the basis of the received traffic steering information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wireless communications, and moreparticularly, to a method and apparatus for steering traffic in awireless communication system.

2. Related Art

3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) isan improved version of a universal mobile telecommunication system(UMTS) and is introduced as the 3GPP release 8. The 3GPP LTE usesorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) in a downlink, anduses single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) in anuplink. The 3GPP LTE employs multiple input multiple output (MIMO)having up to four antennas. In recent years, there is an ongoingdiscussion on 3GPP LTE-advanced (LTE-A) that is an evolution of the 3GPPLTE.

A wireless communication system may provide a service to a terminalthrough a plurality of access networks. The terminal may receive aservice from a 3GPP access network such as a mobile wirelesscommunication system. Further, the terminal may receive the service froma non-3GPP access network such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access) or a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

Generally, the terminal may establish connection with a 3GPP accessnetwork to receive the service. Meanwhile, when traffic overload isgenerated in a 3GPP access network, if traffic to be processed by theterminal is processed by another access network, that is, the non-3GPPaccess network, the whole efficiency of the network may be improved. Asdescribed above, changeable process of the traffic through the 3GPPaccess network and/or the non-GPP access network refers to trafficsteering so that the traffic is changeably processed through a 3GPPaccess network and/or a non-GPP access network.

For the traffic steering, a policy for interworking of the 3GPP accessnetwork and/or the non-GPP access network such as ANDSF (Access NetworkDiscovery and Selection Functions) may be configured in the terminal.The above policy is managed independently from an interworking policyconfigured by the network.

When at least one interworking policy is configured, the terminal takesinto consideration at least two traffic steering rules for trafficsteering, which may cause collision between the rules. Accordingly, theterminal cannot normally perform traffic steering, so that traffic isinefficiently processed or is not processed. Accordingly, the presentinvention suggests a method capable of handling at least two trafficsteering rules to perform traffic steering when the at least two trafficsteering rules are provided to the terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for steeringtraffic in a wireless communication system.

In an aspect, a method for steering, by a user equipment (UE) within avisitor public land mobile network (VPLMN), traffic in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method includes transmitting, to anetwork, access network discovery and selection functions(ANDSF)-related information comprising information on at least one of ahome ANDSF (H-ANDSF) configured by a home PLMN (HPLMN) or a visitorANDSF (V-ANDSF) configured by the VPLMN, receiving, from the network,traffic steering information which is generated by the network based onthe ANDSF-related information, and steering traffic based on thereceived traffic steering information.

In another aspect, a user terminal (UE) in a wireless communicationsystem is provided. The UE includes a radio frequency (RF) unitconfigured to transmit or receive a radio signal, and a processorconnected to the RF unit, and configured to transmit, to a network,access network discovery and selection functions (ANDSF)-relatedinformation comprising information on at least one of a home ANDSF(H-ANDSF) configured by a home PLMN (HPLMN) or a visitor ANDSF (V-ANDSF)configured by the VPLMN, receive, from the network, traffic steeringinformation which is generated by the network based on the ANDSF-relatedinformation, and steer traffic based on the received traffic steeringinformation.

The UE transmits preference information on traffic steering to the 3GPPaccess network so that an interworking policy suitable for the UE may beconfigured. The terminal performs traffic steering through theinterworking policy in which the preference of the UE is reflected, andmay efficiently process the traffic. In addition, irreconcilableinterworking policy (or traffic steering rule) is prevented from beingconfigured in the UE so that a traffic process rate and reliability maybe improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system to which the presentinvention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a wireless protocolon the user plane.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a wireless protocolon the control plane.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of UE in the RRC idlestate.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of establishing RRCconnection.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an RRC connection reconfigurationprocess.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a handover process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an RRC connection re-establishmentprocedure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a measuring method according to therelated art.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of measurement configuration in theterminal.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of removing the measurement identity.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of removing the measurement object.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an environment where a3GPP access network and a WLAN access network coexist.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a legacy ANDSF withrespect to an MAPCON.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enhanced ANDSF withrespect to the MAPCON.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a method of steering traffic performedby the UE according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication system to which the presentinvention is applied. The wireless communication system may also bereferred to as an evolved-UMTS terrestrial radio access network(E-UTRAN) or a long term evolution (LTE)/LTE-A system.

The E-UTRAN includes at least one base station (BS) 20 which provides acontrol plane and a user plane to a user equipment (UE) 10. The UE 10may be fixed or mobile, and may be referred to as another terminology,such as a mobile station (MS), a user terminal (UT), a subscriberstation (SS), a mobile terminal (MT), a wireless device, etc. The BS 20is generally a fixed station that communicates with the UE 10 and may bereferred to as another terminology, such as an evolved node-B (eNB), abase transceiver system (BTS), an access point, etc.

The BSs 20 are interconnected by means of an X2 interface. The BSs 20are also connected by means of an S1 interface to an evolved packet core(EPC) 30, more specifically, to a mobility management entity (MME)through S1-MME and to a serving gateway (S-GW) through S1-U.

The EPC 30 includes an MME, an S-GW, and a packet data network-gateway(P-GW). The MME has access information of the UE or capabilityinformation of the UE, and such information is generally used formobility management of the UE. The S-GW is a gateway having an E-UTRANas an end point. The P-GW is a gateway having a PDN as an end point.

Layers of a radio interface protocol between the UE and the network canbe classified into a first layer (L1), a second layer (L2), and a thirdlayer (L3) based on the lower three layers of the open systeminterconnection (OSI) model that is well-known in the communicationsystem. Among them, a physical (PHY) layer belonging to the first layerprovides an information transfer service by using a physical channel,and a radio resource control (RRC) layer belonging to the third layerserves to control a radio resource between the UE and the network. Forthis, the RRC layer exchanges an RRC message between the UE and the BS.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a wireless protocol architecture for a userplane. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a wireless protocol architecture fora control plane. The user plane is a protocol stack for user datatransmission. The control plane is a protocol stack for control signaltransmission.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a PHY layer provides an upper layer with aninformation transfer service through a physical channel. The PHY layeris connected to a medium access control (MAC) layer which is an upperlayer of the PHY layer through a transport channel. Data is transferredbetween the MAC layer and the PHY layer through the transport channel.The transport channel is classified according to how and with whatcharacteristics data is transferred through a radio interface.

Data is moved between different PHY layers, that is, the PHY layers of atransmitter and a receiver, through a physical channel. The physicalchannel may be modulated according to an Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing (OFDM) scheme, and use the time and frequency as radioresources.

The functions of the MAC layer include mapping between a logical channeland a transport channel and multiplexing and de-multiplexing to atransport block that is provided through a physical channel on thetransport channel of a MAC Service Data Unit (SDU) that belongs to alogical channel. The MAC layer provides service to a Radio Link Control(RLC) layer through the logical channel.

The functions of the RLC layer include the concatenation, segmentation,and reassembly of an RLC SDU. In order to guarantee various types ofQuality of Service (QoS) required by a Radio Bearer (RB), the RLC layerprovides three types of operation mode: Transparent Mode (TM),Unacknowledged Mode (UM), and Acknowledged Mode (AM). AM RLC provideserror correction through an Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ).

The RRC layer is defined only on the control plane. The RRC layer isrelated to the configuration, reconfiguration, and release of radiobearers, and is responsible for control of logical channels, transportchannels, and PHY channels. An RB means a logical route that is providedby the first layer (PHY layer) and the second layers (MAC layer, the RLClayer, and the PDCP layer) in order to transfer data between UE and anetwork.

The function of a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer on theuser plane includes the transfer of user data and header compression andciphering. The function of the PDCP layer on the user plane furtherincludes the transfer and encryption/integrity protection of controlplane data.

What an RB is configured means a process of defining the characteristicsof a wireless protocol layer and channels in order to provide specificservice and configuring each detailed parameter and operating method. AnRB can be divided into two types of a Signaling RB (SRB) and a Data RB(DRB). The SRB is used as a passage through which an RRC message istransmitted on the control plane, and the DRB is used as a passagethrough which user data is transmitted on the user plane.

If RRC connection is established between the RRC layer of UE and the RRClayer of an E-UTRAN, the UE is in the RRC connected state. If not, theUE is in the RRC idle state.

A downlink transport channel through which data is transmitted from anetwork to UE includes a broadcast channel (BCH) through which systeminformation is transmitted and a downlink shared channel (SCH) throughwhich user traffic or control messages are transmitted. Traffic or acontrol message for downlink multicast or broadcast service may betransmitted through the downlink SCH, or may be transmitted through anadditional downlink multicast channel (MCH). Meanwhile, an uplinktransport channel through which data is transmitted from UE to a networkincludes a random access channel (RACH) through which an initial controlmessage is transmitted and an uplink shared channel (SCH) through whichuser traffic or control messages are transmitted.

Logical channels that are placed over the transport channel and that aremapped to the transport channel include a broadcast control channel(BCCH), a paging control channel (PCCH), a common control channel(CCCH), a multicast control channel (MCCH), and a multicast trafficchannel (MTCH).

The physical channel includes several OFDM symbols in the time domainand several subcarriers in the frequency domain. One subframe includes aplurality of OFDM symbols in the time domain. An RB is a resourcesallocation unit, and includes a plurality of OFDM symbols and aplurality of subcarriers. Furthermore, each subframe may use specificsubcarriers of specific OFDM symbols (e.g., the first OFDM symbol) ofthe corresponding subframe for a physical downlink control channel(PDCCH), that is, an L1/L2 control channel. A Transmission Time Interval(TTI) is a unit time for subframe transmission.

As disclosed in 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.7.0, a physical channel in a 3GPP LTEmay be divided into a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) and aPUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) being a data channel and a PDCCH(Physical Downlink Control Channel), a PCFICH (Physical Control FormatIndicator Channel), a PHICH (Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel), anda PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) being a control channel.

A PCFICH transmitted through a first OFDM symbol of a sub-frame carriesa CFI (control format indicator) with respect to the number of OFDMsymbols used to transmit control channels in a sub-frame. The terminalfirstly receives a CFI on a PCFICH to monitor the PDCCH.

The PDCCH refers to a scheduling channel to carry schedule informationas a downlink control channel. The control information transmittedthrough the PDCCH refers to downlink control information (DCI). The DCImay include resource allocation of the PDSCH (refers to DL grant(downlink grant)), resource allocation of the PUSCH (refers to uplink(UL) grant)), and a group and/or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) ofa transmission power control command with respect to individual UEs inan optional UE group.

In the 3GPP LTE, blind decoding is used to detect the PDCCH. The blinddecoding de-masks a desired identifier to a CRC (Cyclic RedundancyCheck) of a received PDCCH (refers to candidate PDCCH), and checks a CRCerror to determine whether a corresponding PDCCH is a control channelthereof.

The base station determines a PDCCH format according to a DCI to be sentto the terminal to attach a CRC to the DCI, and masks a uniqueidentifier (refers to RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identifier))according to an owner or a use of the PDCCH.

The RRC state of UE and an RRC connection method are described below.

The RRC state means whether or not the RRC layer of UE is logicallyconnected to the RRC layer of the E-UTRAN. A case where the RRC layer ofUE is logically connected to the RRC layer of the E-UTRAN is referred toas an RRC connected state. A case where the RRC layer of UE is notlogically connected to the RRC layer of the E-UTRAN is referred to as anRRC idle state. The E-UTRAN may check the existence of corresponding UEin the RRC connected state in each cell because the UE has RRCconnection, so the UE may be effectively controlled. In contrast, theE-UTRAN is unable to check UE in the RRC idle state, and a Core Network(CN) manages UE in the RRC idle state in each tracking area, that is,the unit of an area greater than a cell. That is, the existence ornon-existence of UE in the RRC idle state is checked only for each largearea. Accordingly, the UE needs to shift to the RRC connected state inorder to be provided with common mobile communication service, such asvoice or data.

When a user first powers UE, the UE first searches for a proper cell andremains in the RRC idle state in the corresponding cell. The UE in theRRC idle state establishes RRC connection with an E-UTRAN through an RRCconnection procedure when it is necessary to set up the RRC connection,and shifts to the RRC connected state. A case where UE in the RRC idlestate needs to set up RRC connection includes several cases. Forexample, the cases may include a need to send uplink data for a reason,such as a call attempt by a user, and to send a response message as aresponse to a paging message received from an E-UTRAN.

A Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer placed over the RRC layer performsfunctions, such as session management and mobility management.

In the NAS layer, in order to manage the mobility of UE, two types ofstates: EPS Mobility Management-REGISTERED (EMM-REGISTERED) andEMM-DEREGISTERED are defined. The two states are applied to UE and theMME. UE is initially in the EMM-DEREGISTERED state. In order to access anetwork, the UE performs a process of registering it with thecorresponding network through an initial attach procedure. If the attachprocedure is successfully performed, the UE and the MME become theEMM-REGISTERED state.

In order to manage signaling connection between UE and the EPC, twotypes of states: an EPS Connection Management (ECM)-IDLE state and anECM-CONNECTED state are defined. The two states are applied to UE andthe MME. When the UE in the ECM-IDLE state establishes RRC connectionwith the E-UTRAN, the UE becomes the ECM-CONNECTED state. The MME in theECM-IDLE state becomes the ECM-CONNECTED state when it establishes S1connection with the E-UTRAN. When the UE is in the ECM-IDLE state, theE-UTRAN does not have information about the context of the UE.Accordingly, the UE in the ECM-IDLE state performs procedures related toUE-based mobility, such as cell selection or cell reselection, without aneed to receive a command from a network. In contrast, when the UE is inthe ECM-CONNECTED state, the mobility of the UE is managed in responseto a command from a network. If the location of the UE in the ECM-IDLEstate is different from a location known to the network, the UE informsthe network of its corresponding location through a tracking area updateprocedure.

System information is described below.

System information includes essential information that needs to be knownby UE in order for the UE to access a BS. Accordingly, the UE needs tohave received all pieces of system information before accessing the BS,and needs to always have the up-to-date system information. Furthermore,the BS periodically transmits the system information because the systeminformation is information that needs to be known by all UEs within onecell. The system information is divided into a MIB (Master InformationBlock) and a plurality of SIBs (System Information Blocks).

The MIB may include a limited number of parameters which are mostfrequently transmitted and are required for acquisition for otherinformation from a cell. The terminal firstly searches the MIB afterdownlink synchronization. The MIB may include information such as adownlink channel bandwidth, PHICH configuration, an SFN to supportsynchronization and to be operated as a timing reference, and eNBtransmission antenna configuration. The MIB may be broadcasted on theBCH.

A SIB1 (SystemInformationBlockType1) among SIBs is transmitted whilebeing included in a SystemInformationBlockType1”, and other SIBs exceptfor the SIB1 is transmitted while being included in the systeminformation message. The SIBs may be flexibly mapped to the systeminformation message according to a scheduling information list parameterincluded in the SIB1. However, each SIB is included in a single systeminformation message, and only SIBs having the same scheduling requiredvalue (e.g. period) may be mapped to the same system informationmessage. Further, a SIB2 (SystemInformationBlockType2) is mapped to asystem information message corresponding to a first entry in a systeminformation message list of a scheduling information list. A pluralityof system information messages may be transmitted within the same timeperiod. The SIB1 and all system information messages are transmitted ona DL-SCH.

Further to broadcast transmission, the E-UTRAN may be dedicated-signaledin a state that the SIB1 includes the same parameter as apreconfiguration value. In this case, the SIB1 may be transmitted whilebeing included in a RRC connection reconfiguration message.

The SIB1 includes information on terminal cell access, and definesscheduling of other SIBs. The SIB1 may include PLMN identifiers of anetwork, a TAC (Tracking Area Code), a cell ID, a cell barring status toindicate whether a cell may camp-on, the lowest reception level requiredin a cell used as a cell reselection reference, and information on atransmission time and a time period of other SIBs.

The SIB2 may include radio resource configuration information common inall terminals. The SIB2 may include a uplink carrier frequency, anuplink channel bandwidth, RACH configuration, paging configuration,uplink power control configuration, sounding reference signalconfiguration, PUCCH configuration and PUSCH configuration supportingACK/NACK transmission.

The terminal may apply acquisition and change sensing procedures ofsystem information with respect to only a PCell. In the SCell, theE-UTRAN may provide all system information on the RRC connection stateoperation through dedicated signaling when a corresponding SCell isadded. When system information on the configured SCell is changed, theE-UTRAN may release a considered SCell and may add the considered SCelllater, which may be performed together with a single RRC connectionreconfiguration message. The E-UTRAN may configure parameter valuesdifferent from a value broadcasted in the considered SCell through thededicated signaling.

The terminal should ensure validity with respect to system informationof a specific type. The above system information refers to requiredsystem information. The required system information may be defined asfollows.

-   -   When the terminal is in a RRC idle state: the terminal should to        have a valid version of an MIB and the SIB1 as well as a SIB2 to        a SIBS, which may depend on support of a considered RAT.    -   When the terminal is in a RRC connection state: the terminal        should ensure to have valid versions of the MIB, the SIB1 and        the SIB2.

In general, after the system information is acquired, validity may beensured with a maximum three hours.

In general, service that is provided to UE by a network may beclassified into three types as follows. Furthermore, the UE differentlyrecognizes the type of cell depending on what service may be provided tothe UE. In the following description, a service type is first described,and the type of cell is described.

1) Limited service: this service provides emergency calls and anEarthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS), and may be provided by anacceptable cell.

2) Suitable service: this service means public service for common uses,and may be provided by a suitable cell (or a normal cell).

3) Operator service: this service means service for communicationnetwork operators. This cell may be used by only communication networkoperators, but may not be used by common users.

In relation to a service type provided by a cell, the type of cell maybe classified as follows.

1) An acceptable cell: this cell is a cell from which UE may be providedwith limited service. This cell is a cell that has not been barred froma viewpoint of corresponding UE and that satisfies the cell selectioncriterion of the UE.

2) A suitable cell: this cell is a cell from which UE may be providedwith suitable service. This cell satisfies the conditions of anacceptable cell and also satisfies additional conditions. The additionalconditions include that the suitable cell needs to belong to a PublicLand Mobile Network (PLMN) to which corresponding UE may access and thatthe suitable cell is a cell on which the execution of a tracking areaupdate procedure by the UE is not barred. If a corresponding cell is aCSG cell, the cell needs to be a cell to which UE may access as a memberof the CSG.

3) A barred cell: this cell is a cell that broadcasts informationindicative of a barred cell through system information.

4) A reserved cell: this cell is a cell that broadcasts informationindicative of a reserved cell through system information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of UE in the RRC idlestate. FIG. 4 illustrates a procedure in which UE that is initiallypowered on experiences a cell selection process, registers it with anetwork, and then performs cell reselection if necessary.

Referring to FIG. 4, the UE selects Radio Access Technology (RAT) inwhich the UE communicates with a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), thatis, a network from which the UE is provided with service (S410).Information about the PLMN and the RAT may be selected by the user ofthe UE, and the information stored in a Universal Subscriber IdentityModule (USIM) may be used.

The UE selects a cell that has the greatest value and that belongs tocells having measured BS and signal intensity or quality greater than aspecific value (cell selection) (S420). In this case, the UE that ispowered off performs cell selection, which may be called initial cellselection. A cell selection procedure is described later in detail.After the cell selection, the UE receives system informationperiodically by the BS. The specific value refers to a value that isdefined in a system in order for the quality of a physical signal indata transmission/reception to be guaranteed. Accordingly, the specificvalue may differ depending on applied RAT.

If network registration is necessary, the UE performs a networkregistration procedure (S430). The UE registers its information (e.g.,an IMSI) with the network in order to receive service (e.g., paging)from the network. The UE does not register it with a network whenever itselects a cell, but registers it with a network when information aboutthe network (e.g., a Tracking Area Identity (TAI)) included in systeminformation is different from information about the network that isknown to the UE.

The UE performs cell reselection based on a service environment providedby the cell or the environment of the UE (S440). If the value of theintensity or quality of a signal measured based on a BS from which theUE is provided with service is lower than that measured based on a BS ofa neighboring cell, the UE selects a cell that belongs to other cellsand that provides better signal characteristics than the cell of the BSthat is accessed by the UE. This process is called cell reselectiondifferently from the initial cell selection of the No. 2 process. Inthis case, temporal restriction conditions are placed in order for acell to be frequently reselected in response to a change of signalcharacteristic. A cell reselection procedure is described later indetail.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of establishing RRCconnection.

UE sends an RRC connection request message that requests RRC connectionto a network (S510). The network sends an RRC connection establishmentmessage as a response to the RRC connection request (S520). Afterreceiving the RRC connection establishment message, the UE enters RRCconnected mode.

The UE sends an RRC connection establishment complete message used tocheck the successful completion of the RRC connection to the network(S530).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an RRC connection reconfigurationprocess. An RRC connection reconfiguration is used to modify RRCconnection. This is used to establish/modify/release RBs, performhandover, and set up/modify/release measurements.

A network sends an RRC connection reconfiguration message for modifyingRRC connection to UE (S610). As a response to the RRC connectionreconfiguration message, the UE sends an RRC connection reconfigurationcomplete message used to check the successful completion of the RRCconnection reconfiguration to the network (S620).

Hereinafter, a public land mobile network (PLMN) is described.

The PLMN is a network which is disposed and operated by a mobile networkoperator. Each mobile network operator operates one or more PLMNs. EachPLMN may be identified by a Mobile Country Code (MCC) and a MobileNetwork Code (MNC). PLMN information of a cell is included in systeminformation and broadcasted.

In PLMN selection, cell selection, and cell reselection, various typesof PLMNs may be considered by the terminal.

Home PLMN (HPLMN): PLMN having MCC and MNC matching with MCC and MNC ofa terminal IMSI.

Equivalent HPLMN (EHPLMN): PLMN serving as an equivalent of an HPLMN.

Registered PLMN (RPLMN): PLMN successfully finishing locationregistration.

Equivalent PLMN (EPLMN): PLMN serving as an equivalent of an RPLMN.

Each mobile service consumer subscribes in the HPLMN. When a generalservice is provided to the terminal through the HPLMN or the EHPLMN, theterminal is not in a roaming state. Meanwhile, when the service isprovided to the terminal through a PLMN except for the HPLMN/EHPLMN, theterminal is in the roaming state. In this case, the PLMN refers to aVisited PLMN (VPLMN).

When UE is initially powered on, the UE searches for available PublicLand Mobile Networks (PLMNs) and selects a proper PLMN from which the UEis able to be provided with service. The PLMN is a network that isdeployed or operated by a mobile network operator. Each mobile networkoperator operates one or more PLMNs. Each PLMN may be identified byMobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC). Informationabout the PLMN of a cell is included in system information andbroadcasted. The UE attempts to register it with the selected PLMN. Ifregistration is successful, the selected PLMN becomes a Registered PLMN(RPLMN). The network may signalize a PLMN list to the UE. In this case,PLMNs included in the PLMN list may be considered to be PLMNs, such asRPLMNs. The UE registered with the network needs to be able to be alwaysreachable by the network. If the UE is in the ECM-CONNECTED state(identically the RRC connection state), the network recognizes that theUE is being provided with service. If the UE is in the ECM-IDLE state(identically the RRC idle state), however, the situation of the UE isnot valid in an eNB, but is stored in the MME. In such a case, only theMME is informed of the location of the UE in the ECM-IDLE state throughthe granularity of the list of Tracking Areas (TAs). A single TA isidentified by a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) formed of the identifier ofa PLMN to which the TA belongs and Tracking Area Code (TAC) thatuniquely expresses the TA within the PLMN.

Thereafter, the UE selects a cell that belongs to cells provided by theselected PLMN and that has signal quality and characteristics on whichthe UE is able to be provided with proper service.

The following is a detailed description of a procedure of selecting acell by a terminal.

When power is turned-on or the terminal is located in a cell, theterminal performs procedures for receiving a service byselecting/reselecting a suitable quality cell.

A terminal in an RRC idle state should prepare to receive a servicethrough the cell by always selecting a suitable quality cell. Forexample, a terminal where power is turned-on just before should selectthe suitable quality cell to be registered in a network. If the terminalin an RRC connection state enters in an RRC idle state, the terminalshould selects a cell for stay in the RRC idle state. In this way, aprocedure of selecting a cell satisfying a certain condition by theterminal in order to be in a service idle state such as the RRC idlestate refers to cell selection. Since the cell selection is performed ina state that a cell in the RRC idle state is not currently determined,it is important to select the cell as rapid as possible. Accordingly, ifthe cell provides a wireless signal quality of a predetermined level orgreater, although the cell does not provide the best wireless signalquality, the cell may be selected during a cell selection procedure ofthe terminal.

A method and a procedure of selecting a cell by a terminal in a 3GPP LTEis described with reference to 3GPP TS 36.304 V8.5.0 (2009-03) “UserEquipment (UE) procedures in idle mode (Release 8)”.

A cell selection process is basically divided into two types.

The first is an initial cell selection process. In this process, UE doesnot have preliminary information about a wireless channel. Accordingly,the UE searches for all wireless channels in order to find out a propercell. The UE searches for the strongest cell in each channel.Thereafter, if the UE has only to search for a suitable cell thatsatisfies a cell selection criterion, the UE selects the correspondingcell.

Next, the UE may select the cell using stored information or usinginformation broadcasted by the cell. Accordingly, cell selection may befast compared to an initial cell selection process. If the UE has onlyto search for a cell that satisfies the cell selection criterion, the UEselects the corresponding cell. If a suitable cell that satisfies thecell selection criterion is not retrieved though such a process, the UEperforms an initial cell selection process.

A cell selection reference may be defined as expressed by a followingequation 1.

Srxlev>0 AND Squal>0  <Equation 1>

where:

Srxlev=Q_(rxlevmeas)−(Q_(rxlevmin)+Q_(rxlevminoffset))−Pcompensation

Squal=Q_(qualmeas)−(Q_(qualmin)+Q_(qualminoffset))

In this case, respective variables of the equation 1 may be defined by afollowing table 1.

TABLE 1 Srxlev Cell selection RX level value (dB) Squal Cell selectionquality value (dB) Q_(rxlevmeas) Measured cell RX level value (RSRP)Q_(qualmeas) Measured cell quality value (RSRQ) Q_(rxlevmin) Minimumrequired RX level in the cell (dBm) Q_(qualmin) Minimum requiredqualitylevel in the cell (dB) Q_(rxlevminoffset) Offset to the signalledQ_(rxlevmin) taken into account in the Srxlev evaluation as a result ofa periodic search for a higher priority PLMN while camped normally in aVPLMN [5] Q_(qualminoffset) Offset to the signalled Q_(qualmin) takeninto account in the Squal evaluation as a result of a periodic searchfor a higher priority PLMN while camped normally in a VPLMN [5]Pcompensation max(P_(EMAX) − P_(PowerClass), 0) (dB) P_(EMAX) Maximum TXpower level an UE may use when transmitting on the uplink in the cell(dBm) defined as P_(EMAX)in [TS 36.101] P_(PowerClass) Maximum RF outputpower of the UE (dBm) according to the UE power class as defined in [TS36.101]

Signaled values Qrxlevminoffset and Qqualminoffset are a result ofperiodic search with respect to a PLMN of a higher priority while theterminal camps on a normal cell in the VPLMN. During the periodic searchwith the PLMN having the higher priority, the terminal may perform cellselection estimation using stored parameters from other cell of the PLMNhaving the higher priority.

After the UE selects a specific cell through the cell selection process,the intensity or quality of a signal between the UE and a BS may bechanged due to a change in the mobility or wireless environment of theUE. Accordingly, if the quality of the selected cell is deteriorated,the UE may select another cell that provides better quality. If a cellis reselected as described above, the UE selects a cell that providesbetter signal quality than the currently selected cell. Such a processis called cell reselection. In general, a basic object of the cellreselection process is to select a cell that provides UE with the bestquality from a viewpoint of the quality of a radio signal.

In addition to the viewpoint of the quality of a radio signal, a networkmay determine priority corresponding to each frequency, and may informthe UE of the determined priorities. The UE that has received thepriorities preferentially takes into consideration the priorities in acell reselection process compared to a radio signal quality criterion.

As described above, there is a method of selecting or reselecting a cellaccording to the signal characteristics of a wireless environment. Inselecting a cell for reselection when a cell is reselected, thefollowing cell reselection methods may be present according to the RATand frequency characteristics of the cell.

-   -   Intra-frequency cell reselection: UE reselects a cell having the        same center frequency as that of RAT, such as a cell on which        the UE camps on.    -   Inter-frequency cell reselection: UE reselects a cell having a        different center frequency from that of RAT, such as a cell on        which the UE camps on    -   Inter-RAT cell reselection: UE reselects a cell that uses RAT        different from RAT on which the UE camps

The principle of a cell reselection process is as follows.

First, UE measures the quality of a serving cell and neighbor cells forcell reselection.

Second, cell reselection is performed based on a cell reselectioncriterion. The cell reselection criterion has the followingcharacteristics in relation to the measurements of a serving cell andneighbor cells.

Intra-frequency cell reselection is basically based on ranking. Rankingis a task for defining a criterion value for evaluating cell reselectionand numbering cells using criterion values according to the size of thecriterion values. A cell having the best criterion is commonly calledthe best-ranked cell. The cell criterion value is based on the value ofa corresponding cell measured by UE, and may be a value to which afrequency offset or cell offset has been applied, if necessary.

Inter-frequency cell reselection is based on frequency priority providedby a network. UE attempts to camp on a frequency having the highestfrequency priority. A network may provide frequency priority that willbe applied by UEs within a cell in common through broadcastingsignaling, or may provide frequency-specific priority to each UE throughUE-dedicated signaling. A cell reselection priority provided throughbroadcast signaling may refer to a common priority. A cell reselectionpriority for each terminal set by a network may refer to a dedicatedpriority. If receiving the dedicated priority, the terminal may receivea valid time associated with the dedicated priority together. Ifreceiving the dedicated priority, the terminal starts a validity timerset as the received valid time together therewith. While the valid timeris operated, the terminal applies the dedicated priority in the RRC idlemode. If the valid timer is expired, the terminal discards the dedicatedpriority and again applies the common priority.

For the inter-frequency cell reselection, a network may provide UE witha parameter (e.g., a frequency-specific offset) used in cell reselectionfor each frequency.

For the intra-frequency cell reselection or the inter-frequency cellreselection, a network may provide UE with a Neighboring Cell List (NCL)used in cell reselection. The NCL includes a cell-specific parameter(e.g., a cell-specific offset) used in cell reselection.

For the intra-frequency or inter-frequency cell reselection, a networkmay provide UE with a cell reselection black list used in cellreselection. The UE does not perform cell reselection on a cell includedin the black list.

Ranking performed in a cell reselection evaluation process is describedbelow.

A ranking criterion used to apply priority to a cell is defined as inEquation 2.

R _(S) =Q _(meas,s) +Q _(hyst) ,R _(n) =Q _(meas,n) −Q_(offset)  <Equation 2>

In this case, R_(s) is the ranking criterion of a serving cell, R_(n) isthe ranking criterion of a neighbor cell, Q_(meas,s) is the qualityvalue of the serving cell measured by UE, Q_(meas,n) is the qualityvalue of the neighbor cell measured by UE, Q_(hyst) is the hysteresisvalue for ranking, and Q_(offset) is an offset between the two cells.

In Intra-frequency, if UE receives an offset “Q_(offsets,n)” between aserving cell and a neighbor cell, Q_(offset)=Q_(offsets,n). If UE doesnot receive Q_(offsets,n), Q_(offset)=0.

In Inter-frequency, if UE receives an offset “Q_(offsets,n)” for acorresponding cell, Q_(offset)=Q_(offsets,n)+Q_(frequency). If UE doesnot receive “Q_(offsets,n)”, Q_(offset)=Q_(frequency).

If the ranking criterion R_(s) of a serving cell and the rankingcriterion R_(n) of a neighbor cell are changed in a similar state,ranking priority is frequency changed as a result of the change, and UEmay alternately reselect the twos. Q_(hyst) is a parameter that giveshysteresis to cell reselection so that UE is prevented from toalternately reselecting two cells.

UE measures R_(S) of a serving cell and R_(n) of a neighbor cellaccording to the above equation, considers a cell having the greatestranking criterion value to be the highest-ranked cell, and reselects thecell.

In accordance with the criterion, it may be checked that the quality ofa cell is the most important criterion in cell reselection. If areselected cell is not a suitable cell, UE excludes a correspondingfrequency or a corresponding cell from the subject of cell reselection.

In order to perform the cell reselection according to the cellreselection estimation, when the cell reselection reference is satisfiedfor a specific time, the terminal determines that the cell reselectionreference is satisfied and may perform cell movement to a selectedtarget cell. In this case, the specific time may be given from thenetwork as a Treselection parameter. The Treselection may specify a cellreselection timer value, and may be defined with respect to eachfrequency of the E-UTRAN and other RAT.

Hereinafter, cell reselection information used for cell reselection ofthe terminal will be described.

The cell reselection information is a type of a cell reselectionparameter and may be transmitted and provided to the terminal whilebeing included in the system information broadcasted from the network.The cell reselection parameter provided to the terminal may includefollowing types.

Cell reselection priority cellReselectionPriority: ThecellReselectionPriority parameter specifies a priority with respect to afrequency of the E-UTRAN, a frequency of a UTRAN, a group of GERANfrequencies, a band glass of a CDMA2000 HRPD or a band glass of aCDMA2000 1×RTT.

Qoffset_(s,n): specifies an offset value between two cells.

Qoffset_(frequency): specifies frequency specific offset with respect toan E-UTRAN frequency having the same priority.

Q_(hyst): specifies a hysteresis value with respect a rank index.

Q_(qualmin): specifies a required minimum quality level in a dB unit.

Q_(rxlevmin): specifies a required minimum Rx in a dB unit.

Treselection_(EUTRA): may specify a cell reselection timer value for theE-UTRAN, and may be configured with respect to each frequency of theE-UTRAN.

Treselection_(UTRAN): specifies a cell reselection timer value for theUTRAN.

Treselection_(GERA): specifies a cell reselection timer value for theGERAN.

Treselection_(CDMA) _(_) _(HRPD): specifies a cell reselection timervalue for CDMA HRPD.

Treselection_(CDMA) _(_) _(1×RTT): specifies a cell reselection timervalue for CDMA 1×RTT.

Thresh_(x, HighP): specifies a Srxlev threshold value used by a terminalupon cell reselection to an RAT/frequency having a priority higher thana serving frequency. A specific threshold value may be independentlyconfigured with respect to each frequency of the E-UTRAN and the UTRAN,each group of a GERAN frequency, each band glass of CDMA2000 HRPD andeach band glass of CDMA2000 1×RTT.

Thresh_(x, HighQ): When cell reselection to RAT/frequency having apriority higher than the serving frequency is performed, a Squalthreshold value used by a terminal is specified in a dB unit. Thespecific threshold value may be independently configured with respect toeach frequency of the E-UTRAN and a UTRAN FDD.

Thresh_(x, LowP): When cell reselection to RAT/frequency having apriority lower than the serving frequency is performed, a Srxlevthreshold value used by a terminal is specified in a dB unit. Thespecific threshold value may be independently configured with respect toeach frequency of the E-UTRAN and a UTRAN FDD, each group of a GERANfrequency, each band glass of a CDMA2000 HRPD and each band glass ofCDMA2000 1×RTT.

Thresh_(x, LowQ): When cell reselection to RAT/frequency having apriority lower than the serving frequency is performed, a Squalthreshold value used by a terminal is specified in a dB unit. Thespecific threshold value may be independently configured with respect toeach frequency of the E-UTRAN and a UTRAN FDD.

Thresh_(Serving, LowP): When cell reselection to RAT/frequency having apriority lower than the serving frequency is performed, a Srxlevthreshold value used by a terminal is specified in a dB unit.

Thresh_(Serving, LowQ): When cell reselection to RAT/frequency having apriority lower than the serving frequency is performed, a Squalthreshold value used by a terminal is specified in a dB unit.

S_(IntraSerachP): specifies a Srxlev threshold value with respect tointra-frequency measurement in a dB unit.

S_(IntraSerachQ): specifies a Squal threshold value with respect tointra-frequency measurement in a dB unit.

S_(nonIntraSerachP): specifies E-UTRAN inter-frequency and a Srxlevthreshold value with respect to inter-RAT measurement.

S_(nonIntraSerachQ): specifies E-UTRAN inter-frequency and a Squalthreshold value with respect to E-UTRAN inter-frequency and inter-RATmeasurement.

Meanwhile, the cell reselection information may be provided while beingincluded in a RRC connection release message which is a RRC messagetransmitted for RRC connection release between the network and theterminal. For example, the RRC connection release message may include asub-carrier frequency list and cell reselection priority of the E-UTRAN,a sub-carrier frequency list and cell reselection priority of theUTRA-FDD, a sub-carrier frequency list and cell reselection priority ofthe UTRA-TDD, a sub-carrier frequency list and cell reselection priorityof the GERAN, a band glass list and cell reselection priority of theCDMA2000 HRPD, and a band glass list and cell reselection priority ofCDMA2000 1×RTT.

Hereinafter, RAN sharing by a plurality of businesses will be described.

A plurality of businesses may separately establish an RAN to provide theservice, but shares a cell established by a specific business to providethe service to a subscriber. This refers to RAN sharing. In this case,the cell shared by a plurality of businesses may broadcast a PLMN list.The PLMN list may be transmitted while being included in SIB1 ofbroadcasted system information. Meanwhile, the PLMN list included in theSIB1 may be implemented so that the first listed PLMN identifier mayindicate a primary PLMN.

Cell reselection information provided from a shared cell in a state thatone cell is shared by a plurality of businesses may be commonlyapplicable to all PLMNs in a PLMN list. Generally, the cell reselectioninformation provided from a shared cell is configured to be suited to apolicy of a primary PLMN. Accordingly, terminals receiving a serviceaccording to a sub-PLMN perform cell reselection based on informationdifferent from optimized cell reselection information for providing theservice.

Hereinafter, handover associated with movement of the terminal in a RRCconnection state will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a handover process.

UE transmits a measurement report to a source BS (S710). The source basestation determines presence of handover using a received measurementreport. When the source base station determines handover to aneighboring cell, the base station included in a target cell becomes atarget BS.

The source base station transmits a handover preparation message to thetarget base station (S711). The target base station performs admissioncontrol in order to increase success possibility of the handover.

The target base station transmits a handover preparation acknowledgement(ACK) message to the source base station (S712). The handoverpreparation acknowledgement (ACK) message may include a Cell-RadioNetwork Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) and/or dedicated random accesspreamble. The C-RNTI presents an identifier for identifying a terminalin a cell. The dedicated random access preamble presents a preamblewhich may be exclusively used and is used to perform anon-contention-based random access process. The random access processmay be divided into a contention-based process using an optional randomaccess preamble and a non-contention-based process using a dedicatedrandom access preamble. The non-contention-based process may preventdelay of handover due to contention with other terminal as compared withthe contention-based process.

The source BS transmits a handover command message to the terminal(S713). The handover command message may be transmitted in the form of aradio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message. Thehandover command message may include a C-RNTI and a dedicated randomaccess preamble received from the target BS.

The terminal receives the handover command message from the source BSand then synchronizes with the target BS (S714). The terminal receivesand synchronizes a PSS and a SSS with each other to acquire systeminformation.

The terminal transmits the random access preamble to the target BS tostart the random access preamble to start an access process (S715). Theterminal may use the dedicated random access preamble included in thehandover command message. Alternatively, if the dedicated random accesspreamble is not allocated, the terminal may use a random access preambleoptionally selected from a radon access preamble group.

The target BS transmits the random access response message to theterminal (S716). The random access response message may include uplinkresource allocation and/or timing advance.

If the terminal receives the random access response message, theterminal adjusts uplink synchronization based on timing offset, andtransmits a handover confirmation message to the target BS using theuplink resource allocation (S717). The handover confirmation message mayindicate that the handover process is terminated and may be transmittedtogether with an uplink buffer status report.

The target BS reports that a cell of the terminal is changed to amobility management entity (MME) by transmitting a path switch requestmessage to the MME (S718).

The MME transmits a user plane update request message to aserving-gateway (S-GW) (S719).

The S-GW switches the downlink data path to the target BS (S720).

The S-GW transmits a user plane update response message to the MME(S721).

The MME transmits a path switch request ACK to the target BS (S722).

The target BS transmits a resource release message to the source BS toreport success of handover (S723).

The source BS releases a resource associated with the terminal (S724).

Hereinafter, radio link monitoring (RLM) will be described.

The terminal monitors downlink quality based on a cell-specificreference signal in order to detect downlink radio link quality of aPCell. The terminal estimates the downlink radio link quality for thepurpose of monitoring downlink radio link quality of the PCell andcompares the estimated downlink radio link quality with threshold valuesQout and Qin. The threshold values Qout is defined as a level at which adownlink radio link may not be received, which corresponds to a 10%block error rate of hypothetical PDCCH transmission by taking intoconsideration a PDFICH error. The threshold value Qin is defined as adownlink radio link quality level which may be stable more than a levelof the threshold value Qout, which corresponds to a 2% block error rateof hypothetical PDCCH transmission by taking into consideration thePCFICH error.

A Radio Link Failure (RLF) is described below.

UE continues to perform measurements in order to maintain the quality ofa radio link with a serving cell from which the UE receives service. TheUE determines whether or not communication is impossible in a currentsituation due to the deterioration of the quality of the radio link withthe serving cell. If communication is almost impossible because thequality of the serving cell is too low, the UE determines the currentsituation to be an RLF.

If the RLF is determined, the UE abandons maintaining communication withthe current serving cell, selects a new cell through cell selection (orcell reselection) procedure, and attempts RRC connectionre-establishment with the new cell.

In the specification of 3GPP LTE, the following examples are taken ascases where normal communication is impossible.

-   -   A case where UE determines that there is a serious problem in        the quality of a downlink communication link (a case where the        quality of a PCell is determined to be low while performing RLM)        based on the radio quality measured results of the PHY layer of        the UE    -   A case where uplink transmission is problematic because a random        access procedure continues to fail in the MAC sublayer.    -   A case where uplink transmission is problematic because uplink        data transmission continues to fail in the RLC sublayer.    -   A case where handover is determined to have failed.    -   A case where a message received by UE does not pass through an        integrity check.

An RRC connection re-establishment procedure is described in more detailbelow.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an RRC connection re-establishmentprocedure.

Referring to FIG. 8, UE stops using all the radio bearers that have beenconfigured other than a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) #0, and initializesa variety of kinds of sublayers of an Access Stratum (AS) (S810).Furthermore, the UE configures each sublayer and the PHY layer as adefault configuration. In this process, the UE maintains the RRCconnection state.

The UE performs a cell selection procedure for performing an RRCconnection reconfiguration procedure (S820). The cell selectionprocedure of the RRC connection re-establishment procedure may beperformed in the same manner as the cell selection procedure that isperformed by the UE in the RRC idle state, although the UE maintains theRRC connection state.

After performing the cell selection procedure, the UE determines whetheror not a corresponding cell is a suitable cell by checking the systeminformation of the corresponding cell (S830). If the selected cell isdetermined to be a suitable E-UTRAN cell, the UE sends an RRC connectionre-establishment request message to the corresponding cell (S840).

Meanwhile, if the selected cell is determined to be a cell that uses RATdifferent from that of the E-UTRAN through the cell selection procedurefor performing the RRC connection re-establishment procedure, the UEstops the RRC connection re-establishment procedure and enters the RRCidle state (S850).

The UE may be implemented to finish checking whether the selected cellis a suitable cell through the cell selection procedure and thereception of the system information of the selected cell. To this end,the UE may drive a timer when the RRC connection re-establishmentprocedure is started. The timer may be stopped if it is determined thatthe UE has selected a suitable cell. If the timer expires, the UE mayconsider that the RRC connection re-establishment procedure has failed,and may enter the RRC idle state. Such a timer is hereinafter called anRLF timer. In LTE spec TS 36.331, a timer named “T311” may be used as anRLF timer. The UE may obtain the set value of the timer from the systeminformation of the serving cell.

If an RRC connection re-establishment request message is received fromthe UE and the request is accepted, a cell sends an RRC connectionre-establishment message to the UE.

The UE that has received the RRC connection re-establishment messagefrom the cell reconfigures a PDCP sublayer and an RLC sublayer with anSRB1. Furthermore, the UE calculates various key values related tosecurity setting, and reconfigures a PDCP sublayer responsible forsecurity as the newly calculated security key values. Accordingly, theSRB 1 between the UE and the cell is open, and the UE and the cell mayexchange RRC control messages. The UE completes the restart of the SRB1,and sends an RRC connection re-establishment complete message indicativeof that the RRC connection re-establishment procedure has been completedto the cell (S860).

In contrast, if the RRC connection re-establishment request message isreceived from the UE and the request is not accepted, the cell sends anRRC connection re-establishment reject message to the UE.

If the RRC connection re-establishment procedure is successfullyperformed, the cell and the UE perform an RRC connection reconfigurationprocedure. Accordingly, the UE recovers the state prior to the executionof the RRC connection re-establishment procedure, and the continuity ofservice is guaranteed to the upmost.

Hereinafter, measurement and measurement report will be described.

It is essential to support mobility of the terminal in the wirelesscommunication system. Accordingly, the terminal continuously measuresquality of the serving cell for providing a current service and qualityof a neighboring cell. The terminal reports the measurement result tothe network at a suitable time, and the network provides optimalmobility to the terminal through handover or the like. The measurementfor the above purpose refers to radio resource management (RRM)measurement.

The terminal performs measurement of a specific purpose configured bythe network to report the measurement result to the network in order toprovide information which the business may aid to operate the network aswell as for the purpose of supporting mobility. For example, theterminal receives broadcast information of a specific cell determined bythe network. The terminal may report a cell identity (refers to a globalcell identity), identity information on a location in which the specificcell is included (e.g., tracking area code) and/or other cellinformation (e.g., presence of a member of a Closed Subscriber Group(CSG)) to a serving cell.

When a moved terminal confirms that quality of a specific zone is verybad through measurement, the terminal may report location informationand a measurement result with respect to cells having bad quality to thenetwork. The network may optimize the network based on report ofmeasurement results of terminals to aid the operation of the network.

In a mobile communication system having a 1 frequency reuse factor,mobility is mainly achieved between different cells at the samefrequency band. Accordingly, in order to easily ensure mobility of theterminal, the terminal may easily measure quality and cell informationof neighboring cells having the same center frequency as a centerfrequency of a serving cell. As described above, measurement withrespect to a cell having the same center frequency as a center frequencyof a serving cell refers to intra-frequency measurement. The terminalperforms intra-frequency measurement to report the measurement result tothe network at a suitable time so that a purpose of a correspondingmeasurement result is achieved.

A mobile communication company may operate the network using a pluralityof frequency bands. When a service of a communication system is providedthrough a plurality of frequency bands, in order to ensure optimalmobility to the terminal, the terminal should easily measure quality andcell information of neighboring cells having a center frequencydifferent from a center frequency of a serving cell. As described above,measurement with respect to the cell having a center frequency differentfrom the center frequency of the serving cell refers to inter-frequencymeasurement. The terminal may perform the inter-frequency measurement toreport the measurement result to the network at a suitable time.

When the terminal supports measurement with respect to the network basedon other RAT, the terminal may measure a cell of a corresponding networkby configuring a base station. Such measurement refers to an inter-radioaccess technology (RAT). For example, the RAT may include a UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) and a GSM EDGE Radio AccessNetwork (GERAN) depending on a 3GPP standard protocol, and may furtherinclude a CDMA 2000 system depending on a 3GPP2 standard protocol.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a measuring method according to therelated art.

The terminal receives measurement configuration information from a basestation (S910). A message including measurement configurationinformation refers to a measurement configuration message. The terminalperforms measurement based on the measurement configuration information(S920). If the measurement result satisfies a report condition in themeasurement configuration information, the terminal reports themeasurement result to the base station. A message including themeasurement result refers to a measurement report message.

The measurement configuration information may include followinginformation.

(1) Measurement object information: represents information on an objectto be measured by the terminal. The measurement object includes at leastone of an intra-frequency measurement object being a measurement objectin a cell, an inter-frequency measurement object being a measurementobject between cells, and an inter-RAT measurement object being aninter-RAT measurement object. For example, the inter-frequencymeasurement object may indicate a neighboring cell having the samefrequency band as that of the serving cell, the inter-frequencymeasurement object may indicate a neighboring cell having a frequencyband different from that of the serving cell, and an inter-RATmeasurement object may indicate a neighboring cell of a RAT differentfrom that of the serving cell.

(2) Reporting configuration information: represents information on areporting condition and a reporting type when transmission of themeasurement result is reported. The reporting configuration informationmay be configured as a list of reporting configuration. Each reportingconfiguration may include a reporting criterion and a reporting format.The reporting criterion is a criterion triggering transmission of themeasurement result by the terminal. The reporting criterion may includea period of a measurement reporting or a single event for themeasurement reporting. The reporting format is information on which typethe terminal configures the measurement result.

(3) Measurement identity information: represents information on ameasurement identity to determine when the terminal reports a certainmeasurement object as a certain type by associating the measuringreporting with reporting configuration. The measurement identityinformation is included in the measurement reporting message, which mayrepresent which measurement object is the measurement result and inwhich reporting condition the measurement reporting is generated.

(4) Quantity configuration information: represents information on aparameter for configuring filtering of a measurement unit, a reportingunit, and/or a measurement result value.

(5) Measurement gap information: represents information on a measurementgap which is an interval when the terminal may use for measurementwithout considering data transmission with the serving cell becausedownlink transmission or uplink transmission is not scheduled.

The terminal has a measurement object list, a measurement reportingconfiguration list, and a measurement identity list in order to performa measurement procedure.

In the 3GPP LTE, the base station may configure only one measurementobject with respect to one frequency band to the terminal. According tosection 5.5.4 of 3GPP TS 36.331 V8.5.0 (2009-03) “Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocolspecification (Release 8)”, events resulting in the measurementreporting as listed in a following table 2 are defined.

TABLE 2 Events Reporting conditions Event A1 Serving becomes better thanthreshold Event A2 Serving becomes worse than threshold Event A3Neighbour becomes offset better than serving Event A4 Neighbour becomesbetter than threshold Event A5 Serving becomes worse than threshold1 andneighbour becomes better than threshold2 Event B1 Inter RAT neighbourbecomes better than threshold Event B2 Serving becomes worse thanthreshold1 and inter RAT neighbour becomes better than threshold2

If the measurement result of the terminal satisfies the configuredevent, the terminal transmits a measurement reporting message to thebase station.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of measurement configuration in theterminal.

First, the measurement identity 1 (1001) connects an intra-frequencymeasurement object with a reporting configuration 1. The terminalperforms intra frequency measurement, and the reporting configuration 1is used to determine criterion and type of the measurement resultreporting.

As in the measurement identity 1 (1001), the measurement identity 2(1002) is connected to the intra-frequency measurement object, butconnects the intra-frequency measurement object to the reportingconfiguration 2. The terminal performs measurement and the reportingconfiguration 2 is used to determine criterion and type of themeasurement result reporting.

According to a measurement identity 1 (1001) and a measurement identity2 (1002), even if a measurement result with respect to theintra-frequency measurement object satisfies one of reportingconfiguration 1 and reporting configuration 2, the terminal transmitsthe measurement result.

The measurement identity 3 (1003) connects the inter-frequencymeasurement object 1 to the reporting configuration 3. If themeasurement result with respect to the inter-frequency measurementobject 1 satisfies a reporting condition included in the reportingconfiguration 1, the terminal reports the measurement result.

The measurement identity 4 (1004) connects the inter-frequencymeasurement object 2 to the reporting configuration 2. If themeasurement result with respect to the inter-frequency measurementobject 2 satisfies a reporting condition included in the reportingconfiguration 2, the terminal reports the measurement result.

Meanwhile, the measurement object, reporting configuration and/ormeasurement identity may be added, changed, and/or removed. This may beindicated by sending a new measurement configuration message or themeasurement configuration change message to the terminal.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of removing the measurement identity. Ifthe measurement identity 2 (1002) is removed, measurement with respectto a measurement object associated with the measurement identity 2(1002) is stopped and the measurement reporting is not transmitted. Themeasurement object associated with the removed measurement identity orthe reporting configuration may not be changed.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of removing the measurement object. Ifthe inter-frequency measurement object 1 is removed, the terminal alsoremove the measurement identity 3 (1003) associated with theinter-frequency measurement object 1. Measurement with respect to theinter-frequency measurement object 1 is stopped and the measurementreporting is not transmitted. However, the reporting configurationassociated with the remove inter-frequency measurement object 1 may notbe changed or removed.

If the reporting configuration is removed, the terminal also removes ameasurement identity associated with the reporting configuration. Theterminal stops measurement with respect to the measurement objectassociated with the associated measurement identity. However, themeasurement object associated with the removed reporting configurationmay not be changed or removed.

The measurement reporting may include a measurement identity, measuredquality of the serving cell and a measurement result of the neighboringcell. The measurement identity identifies a measurement object to whichthe measurement report is triggered. The measurement result of theneighboring cell may include a cell identity and measured quality of theneighboring cell. The measured quality may include at least one ofReference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal ReceivedQuality (RSRQ).

Hereinafter, interworking between a 3GPP access network and other accessnetwork will be described.

A 3GPP introduces interworking with a non-3GPP access network (e.g.WLAN) from Rel-8 to find accessible access network, and regulates ANDSF(Access Network Discovery and Selection Functions) for selection. AnANDSF transfers accessible access network finding information (e.g.WLAN, WiMAX location information and the like), Inter-System MobilityPolicies (ISMP) capable of reflecting policies of a business, and anInter-System Routing Policy (ISRP). The terminal may determine whetherto transmit certain IP traffic through a certain access network. An ISMPmay include a network selection rule with respect to selection of oneactive access network connection (e.g., WLAN or 3GPP) by the terminal.An ISRP may include a network selection rule with respect to selectionof at least one potential active access network connection (e.g., bothof WLAN and 3GPP) by the terminal. The ISRP includes Multiple Access PDNConnectivity (MAPCON), IP Flow Mobility (IFOM), and non-seamless WLANoffloading. For dynamic provision between the ANDSF and the terminal,Open Mobile Alliance Device Management (OMA DM) or the like are used.

The MAPCON simultaneously configures and maintains a plurality of packetdata networks (multiple PDN connectivity) through a 3GPP access networkand a non-3GPP access network and regulates a technology capable ofperforming seamless traffic offloading in the whole active PDNconnection unit. To this end, an ANDSF server provides APN (Access PointName) information to perform offloading, inter-access network priority(routing rule), Time of Day to which offloading method is applied, andaccess network (Validity Area) information to be offloaded.

The IFOM supports mobility and seamless offloading of an IP flow unit offlexible subdivided unit as compared with the MAPCON. A technicalcharacteristic of the IFOM allows a terminal to access through differentaccess network when the terminal is connected to a packet data networkusing an access point name (APN). Mobility and a unit of offloading maybe moved in a specific service IP traffic flow unit which is not apacket data network (PDN), the technical characteristic of the IFOM hasflexibility of providing a service. To this end, an ANDSF serverprovides IP flow information to perform offloading, priority (routingrule) between access networks, Time of Day to which an offloading methodis applied, and Validity Area where offloading is performed.

The non-seamless WLAN offloading refers to a technology which changes acertain path of a specific IP traffic to a WLAN and completely offloadstraffic without passing through an EPC. Since the non-seamless WLANoffloading is not anchored in P-GW for supporting mobility, offloaded IPtraffic may not continuously moved to a 3GPP access network. To thisend, the ANDSF server provides information similar to information to beprovided for performing an IFOM.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an environment where a3GPP access network and a WLAN access network coexist.

Referring to FIG. 13, a cell 1 centering a base station 1 (1310) and acell 2 centering a base station 2 (1320) are deployed as a 3GPP accessnetwork. Further, a Basic Service Set (BSS) 1 as the WLAN access networkcentering an Access Point (AP) 1 (1330) located in a cell 1 and a BSS2centering AP2 (1340) and deployed. A BSS3 centering a AP3 (1350) locatedin a cell 2 is deployed. Coverage of the cell is shown with a solidline, and coverage of BSS is shown with a dotted line.

It is assumed that the terminal 1300 is configured to performcommunication through a 3GPP access network and a WLAN access network.In this case, the terminal 1300 may refer to a station.

First, the terminal 1300 may establish connection with a BS1 (1310) in acell 1 to perform traffic through a 3GPP access network.

The terminal 1300 may enters coverage of BSS1 while moving into coverageof cell 1. In this case, the terminal 1300 may connect with a WLANaccess network by performing association and authentication procedureswith an AP1 (1330) of BSS1. Accordingly, the terminal 1300 may processtraffic through a 3GPP access network and a WLAN access network.Meanwhile, the terminal 1300 moves and is separated from the coverageBSS1, connection with a WLAN access network may be terminated.

The terminal 1300 continuously move into the coverage of cell 1 and movearound a boundary between cell 1 and cell 2, and enters coverage of BSS2to find BSS2 through scanning. In this case, the terminal 1300 mayconnect with the WLAN access network by performing association andauthentication procedures of AP2 (1340) of the BSS2. Meanwhile, sincethe terminal 1300 in the coverage of the BSS2 is located at a boundarybetween the cell 1 and the cell 2, service quality through the 3GPPaccess network may not be excellent. In this case, the terminal 1300 mayoperate to mainly process traffic through a WLAN access network.

When the terminal 1300 moves and is separated from the coverage of theBSS2 and enters a center of the cell 2, the terminal 1300 may terminateconnection with the WLAN access network and may process traffic througha 3GPP access network based on the cell 2.

The terminal 1300 may enter coverage of the BSS3 while moving into thecoverage of cell 2 to find the BSS1 through scanning. In this case, theterminal 1300 may connect with the WLAN access network by associationand authentication procedures of an AP3 (1350) of the BSS3. Accordingly,the terminal 1300 may process the traffic through the 3GPP accessnetwork and the WLAN access network.

As illustrated in an example of FIG. 13, in a wireless communicationenvironment where a 3GPP access network and a non-3GPP access networkcoexist, the terminal may adaptively process traffic through a 3GPPaccess network and/or a non-3GPP access network.

A plurality of interworking policies may be configured for interworkingbetween the 3GPP access network and the non-3GPP access network asdescribed above. Even if a plurality of interworking policies is equallyconfigured in different UEs, the interworking policy adopted by the UEmay be changed according to an individual UE.

As policies for interworking between the 3GPP access network and anon-3GPP access network, the above ANDSF may be configured. If the ANDSFis configured, the terminal may process traffic of the 3GPP accessnetwork through a non-3GPP access network or a 3GPP access network.

Meanwhile, interworking policies except for the ANDSF may be configured.In order to easily use the WLAN except for ANDSF in a current 3GPPnetwork, interworking policies reflecting measurement parameters such asload and signal quality of the 3GPP access and/or the WLAN accessnetwork are defined. Hereinafter, the policy refers to an RAN policy.Further, a traffic steering rule according to an RAN policy refers to anRAN rule.

The RAN rule may be provided to the UE together with at least one RANrule parameter for evaluating traffic steering according to the RANrule. The RAN rule and the RAN rule parameter may be configured asfollows.

1) The RAN rule may indicate whether traffic steering to a WLAN isallowed.

2) The RAN rule may indicate a traffic steering estimation conditionbeing a condition allowed or required by traffic steering performing tothe WLAN access network from the 3GPP access network. The conditionaccording to the RAN rule may involve estimation of measurement resultswith respect to an LTE cell. Further, the condition according to the RANrule may involve estimation of measurement results with respect to theWLAN. The estimation may be comparison of the measurement result with anRAN rule parameter (e.g., a measurement threshold value and the like)indicated in the traffic steering information. The following illustratesan example of a traffic steering estimation condition considered by theterminal.

(I) Traffic steering condition to a WLAN access network

-   -   RSRP measurement value (measured_RSRP)<low RSRP threshold value        (Threshold_RSRP_low)    -   3GPP load measurement value (measured_3GPPLoad)>high 3GPP load        threshold value (Threshold_3GPPLoad_High)    -   WLAN load measurement value (measured_WLANLoad)<low WLAN load        threshold value (Threshold_WLANLoad_low)    -   WLAN signal strength measurement value(measured_WLANsignal)>high        WLAN signal strength threshold value(Threshold_WLANsignal_high)

(II) Traffic steering condition to 3GPP access network

-   -   RSRP measurement value (measured_RSRP)>high RSRP threshold value        (Threshold_RSRP_(—) high)    -   3GPP load measurement value (measured_3GPPLoad)<low 3GPP load        threshold value (Threshold_3GPPLoad_High)    -   WLAN load measurement value (measured_WLANLoad)>high WLAN load        threshold value (Threshold_WLANLoad_high)    -   WLAN signal strength measurement value (measured_WLANsignal)<low        WLAN signal strength threshold value (Threshold_WLANsignal_low)

Meanwhile, the estimation condition may be configured while the at leastone condition is coupled with each other using and/or. For example, thetraffic steering estimation condition implemented by coupling the atleast one condition may be implemented as follows.

-   -   Traffic steering estimation condition for traffic steering to        WLAN: (measured_RSRP<Threshold_RSRP_low) and        (measured_WLANLoad<Threshold_WLANLoad_low) and        (measured_WLANsignal>Threshold_WLANsignal_high)    -   Traffic steering estimation condition for traffic steering to        3GPP: (measured_RSRP>Threshold_RSRP_low) or        (measured_WLANLoad>Threshold_WLANLoad_high) or        (measured_WLANsignal<Threshold_WLANsignal_low)

3) The RAN rule may indicate a condition where traffic steeringperforming to a 3GPP access network from the WLAN access network isallowed or required.

4) The RAN rule may indicate an object WLAN access network whereperforming the traffic steering from the 3GPP access network is allowedor required.

5) The RAN rule may indicate traffic in which routing is allowed to theWLAN access network. Alternatively, the RAN rule may indicate at leastone traffic where routing to the WLAN access network is allowed, thatis, which may be served by the 3GPP access network.

Meanwhile, the ANDSF configured in the UE may include a legacy ANDSFand/or an enhanced ANDSF.

The legacy ANDSF may be defined as an ANDSF which does not include ANDSFmanagement object (MO) such as corresponding parameters defined in theRAN rule parameter. Unlike the legacy ANDSF, the enhanced ANDSF may bedefined as an ANDSF including an ANDSF MO such as correspondingparameters defined in a RAN rule parameter.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a legacy ANDSF withrespect to an MAPCON, and FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exampleof an enhanced ANDSF with respect to the MAPCON.

Referring to FIG. 14, the legacy ANDSF does not include an RAN ruleparameter such as RSRP and a WLAN signal level as an ANDSF MO.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 15, the enhanced ANDSF may include RSRP,RSRQ, and an offload preference as the ANDSF MO. Further, the ANDSF mayinclude a WLAN signal level (e.g. RSSI, RSCP), a WLAN load level, a WLANbackhaul data rate, and a WLAN backhaul load.

The enhanced ANDSF may specify the traffic steering evaluation conditionassociated with each ANDSF MO. The traffic steering evaluation conditionspecified by the enhanced ANDSF may be configured similar to the trafficsteering evaluation condition associated with the configured RAN ruleparameter configured by the RAN rule. A detailed description thereofwill be omitted.

A plurality of ANDSF rules may be configured in a UE located in aroaming area. For example, the terminal may have ANDSF (i.e., H-ANDSF)received from a home operator (H-PLMN) and ANDSF (i.e., V-ANDSF)received from a roaming operator (V-PLMN). Here, the UE may applyH-ANDSF or V-ANDSF in the roaming area according to a value set by thehome operator.

If a plurality of interworking policies is configured in the terminal, aplurality of traffic steering rules according to a plurality ofinterworking policies may collide with each other. Further, in a side ofthe business, a preferred interworking policy may be changed accordingto a requirement of the business among a plurality of interworkingpolicies. The UE may perform traffic steering according to a trafficsteering rule of a specific interworking policy regardless of the above.The above may cause the UE to inefficiently process the traffic or notto normally process partial traffic.

Hereinafter, a method of providing information on the preferentialtraffic steering rule of the UE to the network is suggested.Accordingly, the network is not inverted with respect to preference, andmay configure and provide traffic steering information suitable for theUE to the UE, and the UE may perform traffic steering based on theabove.

For a convenience of explanation, it is assumed that non-3GPP accessnetwork is a WLAN access network. However, the embodiment of the presentinvention is not limited thereto and it can be applied to a trafficsteering method considering a general non-3GPP access network. Further,ANDSF policy (including legacy/enhanced ANDSF/H-ANDSF/V-ANDSF) and RANpolicy are exemplified as interworking policies which can be configuredto the UE.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a method of steering traffic performedby the UE according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, the UE transmits UE traffic steering preferenceinformation to a 3GPP access network (S1610). The UE may transmit thetraffic steering preference information as a part of UE capability valuesignaling with respect to the 3GPP access network. The UE may transmitthe traffic steering preference information as a response to a requestof the 3GPP access network. The UE may transmit the traffic steeringsignal information when an ANDSF state is changed. The changing of theANDSF state may be a case of configuring the ANDSF rule in the UE, acase of configuring a new ANDSF rule in the UE, a case of removing theconfigured ANDSF rule, or a case where the configured ANDSF rule is nolonger effective.

The UE traffic steering preference information may be configured asfollows.

1) Indication of the configured traffic steering rule or the preferredtraffic steering rule

-   -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate        whether the ANDSF rule is previously configured in the UE.    -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate        whether the legacy ANDSF rule or the enhanced ANDSF rule is        configured in the UE.    -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate that        the ANDSF rule is preferential as compared with the RAN rule in        traffic steering for selecting the access network.    -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate that        the RAN rule is preferential as compared with the ANDSF rule in        traffic steering for selecting the access network.    -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate        whether H-ANDSF and/or V-ANDSF is configured in the UE.    -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate that        V-ANDSF and H-ANDSF are configured in the UE and that H-ANDSF is        preferential as compared with V-ANDSF. On the contrary, the UE        traffic steering preference information may indicate that        V-ANDSF and H-ANDSF are configured in the UE and that V-ANDSF is        preferential as compared with H-ANDSF. In addition, the UE        traffic steering preference information may indicate whether        H-ANDSF or V-ANDSF is enhanced ANDSF.

2) The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate an accessnetwork preferred by the UE.

-   -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate that        the UE prefers a 3GPP access network to a non-3GPP access        network. For example, the UE traffic steering preference        information may indicate that the UE prefers a LTE cell to a        WLAN BSS.    -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate that        the UE prefers the non-3GPP access network to the 3GPP access        network. For example, the UE traffic steering preference        information may indicate that the UE prefers the WLAN BSS to the        LTE cell.

3) The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate a traffictype preferred by the terminal that the traffic is served through aspecific access network.

-   -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate a        traffic type preferred by the terminal that the traffic is        served through the 3GPP access network. For example, the traffic        in which the service is preferred by the LTE cell may include        traffic communicated in a wireless bearer to which a specific        QoS Class Indicator (QCI) is allocated. In more detail, the        traffic in which the service is preferred by the LTE cell may        include sound traffic. A QCI 1 may be allocated to the wireless        bearer for service of sound traffic.    -   The UE traffic steering preference information may indicate a        traffic type preferred by the terminal in which the traffic is        served through the non-3GPP access network. For example, the        traffic in which service by the WLAN is preferred may include        traffic in a wireless bearer to which a specific QCI is        allocated. In more detail, the traffic in which the service by        the WLAN is preferred may include a TCP based service. In        general, a TCP based service may include an e-mail service        served by a wireless bearer to which QCI 6, 8 or 9 is allocated.

If the 3GPP access network receives the UE traffic steering preferenceinformation, the 3GPP access network may generate traffic steeringinformation based on the UE traffic steering preference information. Forexample, the LTE cell may generate traffic steering information suitablefor optimized traffic steering of the UE. The traffic steeringinformation may include a RAN rule and/or RAN rule parameter. Thetraffic steering information may be generated by the 3GPP access networkas follows.

-   -   If the UE traffic steering preference information indicates that        a suitable ANDSF rule is configured in the UE, when the RAN rule        parameter using the rule parameter may the traffic steering        which is not preferred by the UE according to an ANDSF rule, the        traffic steering information may be configured not to include a        corresponding RAN rule parameter.    -   If the UE traffic steering preference information indicates that        the legacy ANDSF rule is configured, when the RAN rule using the        RAN rule parameter may cause traffic steering which is not        preferred by the terminal, the traffic steering information may        be configured not to include a corresponding RAN rule parameter.    -   If the UE traffic steering preference information indicates that        the enhanced ANDSF rule is configured, the traffic steering        information may be configured to include the RAN rule parameter.        In this case, an MO of the enhanced ANDSF previously configured        in the UE may be updated according to an RAN rule parameter        provided according to the traffic steering information.    -   If the UE traffic steering preference information indicates that        the RAN rule is preferred to the ANDSF rule, the traffic        steering information may be configured to include the RAN rule        parameter in order to perform traffic steering based on the RAN        rule.    -   If the UE traffic steering preference information indicates that        the ANDSF rule is preferred to the RAN rule, when the RAN rule        using an RAN rule parameter can cause traffic steering not        preferred by the UE according to the ANDSF rule, the traffic        steering information may be configured not to include the RAN        rule parameter. Furthermore, if the UE traffic steering        preference information indicates that the ANDSF rule is        preferred to the RAN rule, the traffic steering information may        be configured not to include the RAN rule parameter.    -   Different traffic steering information may be transmitted to the        UE according to which rule the UE traffic steering preference        information prefers among H-ANSDF and V-ANDSF. If the UE traffic        steering preference information indicates that the enhanced        ANDSF rule is configured, the traffic steering information may        be configured to include the RAN rule parameter. In this case,        the MO of the enhanced ANDSF previously configured in the UE may        be updated according to an RAN rule parameter provided according        to the traffic steering information. If H-ANDSF is preferred,        the MO of the enhanced ANDSF previously configured in the UE may        not be updated according to an RAN rule parameter provided        according to the traffic steering information.

When the UE is handed over to another cell, the 3GPP access network maytransmit the received UE traffic steering preference information to a3GPP access network to which the UE is moved.

The 3GPP access network transmits the configured traffic steeringinformation to the UE, and the UE receives the traffic steeringinformation (S1620). The 3GPP access network may transmit the trafficsteering information to the UE through broadcasting signaling ordedicated signaling.

If the UE receives the traffic steering information, the UE may updatethe traffic steering rule for evaluating the traffic steering. If theRAN rule parameter included in the traffic steering informationcorresponds to the ANDSF MO configured in the UE, the UE may update acorresponding ANDSF MO to a received RAN rule parameter.

The UE receiving the traffic steering information may disregard thetraffic steering information. When the traffic steering informationmatches with preference with respect the traffic steering rule, the UEmay disregard the received traffic steering information. Meanwhile,presence of allowance with respect to disregarding of the UE withrespect to the traffic steering information may be signaled. The accessnetwork may provide a flag indicating the presence of the allowance tothe UE through broadcast signaling or dedicated signaling.

For example, when the UE reports that the legacy ANDSF rule ispreviously configured in the UE to the 3GPP access network, and the 3GPPaccess network provides a RAN rule parameter which may not be applied tothe configured ANDSF, the UE may perform traffic steering bydisregarding the RAN rule parameter and applying an existing ANDSF rule.

If the terminal receiving the traffic steering information, the terminalperforms measurement (S1630). The UE may perform measurement withrespect to a peripheral 3GPP access network and/or WLAN access networkto acquire the measurement result. The UE may perform the measurement inorder to acquire the measurement result associated with the RAN ruleparameter of the traffic steering information. The UE may performmeasurement in order to acquire the measurement result associated withthe ANDSF MO of the enhanced ANDSF.

The measurement of the UE with respect to the 3GPP access network mayinclude a procedure of performing measurement with respect to theserving cell and/or a neighboring cell to acquire a RSRQ and/or a RSRP.The measurement of the UE with respect to the 3GPP access network mayinclude a procedure of receiving and acquiring load information from theserving cell and/or the neighboring cell.

The measurement of the UE with respect to the WLAN access network mayinclude a procedure of measuring a signal transmitted from an AP in acurrent BSS to acquire a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)and/or a Receive Strength Carrier Pilot (RSCP). The measurement of theUE with respect to the WLAN access network may include a procedure ofreceiving a BSS load information element from the AP in a current BSS.

The UE performs traffic steering evaluation (S1640). The terminal mayperform the traffic steering evaluation based on the current configuredtraffic measurement rule.

When the terminal prefer to the legacy ANDSF, the UE may perform trafficsteering evaluation based on the legacy ANDSF.

When the UE prefers to the enhanced ANDSF and an enhanced ANDSF isupdated based on the received traffic steering information, the terminalmay perform traffic steering evaluation based on the updated ANDSF.

When the terminal prefers to a RN rule and the RAN rule is providedaccording to the received traffic steering information, the UE mayperform the traffic steering evaluation based on the RAN rule.

Meanwhile, the UE may estimate whether to satisfy the traffic steeringevaluation condition specified in the legacy/enhanced ANDSF and/or RANrule by comparing the ANDSF MO and/or RAN rule parameter.

When the UE finds the interest non-3GPP access network, the UE may beconfigured to perform traffic steering evaluation. The interest non-3GPPaccess network may be previously configured according to the 3GPP accessnetwork.

When the traffic steering is allowed or required according to thetraffic steering evaluation performed according to the traffic steeringrule, the UE may steer the traffic to the 3GPP access network or to theWLAN access network. The UE may steer the traffic to the WLAN accessnetwork by routing and processing the traffic to the WLAN accessnetwork. The traffic steering of the UE to the 3GPP access network mayinclude a procedure of routing a corresponding traffic to the 3GPPaccess network from the WLAN access network when the traffic isprocessed in the WLAN access network. Further, the traffic steering ofthe UE to the 3GPP access network may include a procedure of starting anewly generated traffic processing from the 3GPP access network.

The performing the traffic steering may include a procedure of changingan access network to provide a service for specific traffic. Forexample, internet traffic may change an access network to be processedfrom the WLAN access network, and the access network processing existinginternet traffic may continuously process other traffic.

Hereinafter, a detailed example of a method of steering trafficaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, it is assumed that the UE supports both of LTEbased communication and WLAN based communication, and the LTE basedcommunication and the WLAN based communication may be independentlyachieved. In addition, the WLAN is deployed in coverage of the LTE cellso that the network assumes an environment capable of receiving a WLANservice by competing coupling with the WLAN.

The UE establishes RRC connection with the LTE cell (S1710).

The UE transmits UE traffic steering preference information to the LTEcell (S1720). The UE traffic steering preference information mayindicate that the UE prefers the RAN rule to the ANDSF rule.

If the LTE cell receives the UE traffic steering preference information,the LTE cell generates traffic steering information (S1730). The LTEcell may be configured so that the traffic steering information includesthe RAN rule parameter in order to perform traffic steering based on theRAN rule. In addition, the LTE cell may be configured to further includea RAN rule associated with the RAN rule parameter.

As described above, the RAN rule parameter included in the trafficsteering information may include at least one threshold value forevaluating the traffic steering. As mentioned above, the RAN ruleincluded in the traffic steering information may specify a trafficsteering evaluation condition.

The LTE cell transmits the traffic steering information including theRAN rule and/or the RAN rule parameter to the UE (S1740).

If the UE receives the traffic steering information, the UE performsmeasurement with respect to the LTE cell and the WLAN BSS to acquire themeasurement result (S1750). The UE may selectively perform measurementbased on the RAN rule and/or the RAN rule parameter included in thetraffic steering information to acquire a measurement result associatedwith the RAN rule and/or the RAN rule parameter.

The UE perform traffic steering evaluation (S1760). The UE may performthe traffic steering evaluation based on the traffic steering evaluationassociated with the RAN rule parameter included in the traffic steeringinformation. Alternatively, the UE may perform the traffic steeringevaluation based on the traffic steering evaluation condition specifiedaccording to the RAN rule included in the traffic steering information.If the steering evaluation condition is satisfied, the UE may determineto perform the traffic steering.

The UE determines to perform the traffic steering, the UE performstraffic steering. The traffic steering performed by the UE may include aprocedure of routing the traffic to a WLAN/LTE access network (S1770).The UE may process the LTE traffic by routing the LTE traffic to a WLANBSS. The UE may rout the traffic processed through the WLAN BSS to theLTE cell.

When the RAN rule of the traffic steering information indicates specifictraffic in which traffic steering is allowed, the UE may rout only thetraffic indicated by the RAN rule to the WLAN/LTE access network.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, it is assumed that the UE supports both of LTEbased communication and WLAN based communication, and the LTE basedcommunication and the WLAN based communication are independentlyachieved. In addition, the WLAN is deployed in coverage of the LTE cellso that the network assumes an environment capable of receiving a WLANservice by competing coupling with the WLAN so that the network assumesenvironment. Further, it is assumed that the enhanced ANDSF isconfigured in the UE.

The UE establishes RRC connection with the LTE cell (S1810).

The UE transmits UE traffic steering preference information to the LTEcell (S1820). The UE traffic steering preference information mayindicate that the enhanced ANDSF is configured in the UE.

If the LTE cell receives the UE traffic steering preference information,the LTE cell generates traffic steering information (S1830). The LTEcell may be configured to perform the traffic steering based on theenhanced ANDSF and/or RAN rule so that the traffic steering informationincludes a RAN rule parameter. When the LTE cell may recognize how toconfigure the enhanced ANDSF, the LTE cell may be configured to includeonly a RAN rule parameter associated with an ANDSF MO of the ANDSFincluding enhanced traffic steering information and not to include a RANrule parameter which is not associated with the ANDSF MO of the ANDSF.As described above, the RAN rule parameter included in the trafficsteering information may include at least one threshold value forevaluating traffic steering.

Further, the LTE cell may be configured so that the traffic steeringinformation further includes the RAN rule associated with the RAN ruleparameter. As described, the RAN rule included in the traffic steeringinformation may specify the traffic steering evaluation condition.

The LTE cell transmits traffic steering information including a RAN ruleand/or a RAN rule parameter to the UE (S1840).

If the UE receives the traffic steering information, the UE updates theenhanced ANDSF (S1850). If the RAN rule parameter included in thetraffic steering information corresponds to the configured ANDSF MO, theUE may update a corresponding ANDSF MO to the RAN parameter.

In addition, when the traffic steering information includes a RAN rulespecifying the steering evaluation condition and the RAN rule isassociated with the ANDSF MO, the UE may update the traffic steeringevaluation condition associated with the ANDSF MO to a traffic steeringevaluation condition according to the RAN rule.

If the UE receives the traffic steering information, the UE performsmeasurement with respect to the LTE cell and the WLAN BSS to acquire ameasurement result (S1860). The UE may selectively perform measurementbased on the updated ANDSF MO to acquire the measurement resultassociated with the ANDSF MO.

The UE performs traffic steering evaluation (S1870). The UE may performthe traffic steering evaluation based on the traffic steering evaluationcondition associated with the updated ANDSF MO. If the steeringevaluation condition is satisfied, the UE may determine to performtraffic steering.

If the UE determines to perform the traffic steering, the UE performstraffic steering. The traffic steering performed by the UE may include aprocedure of routing the traffic to a WLAN/LTE access network (S1880).The terminal may route the LTE traffic to the WLAN BSS to be processed.The UE may route the traffic processed through the WLAN BSS to beprocessed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19, it is assumed that the UE supports both of LTEbased communication and WLAN based communication, and the LTE basedcommunication and the WLAN based communication may be independentlyachieved. In addition, the WLAN is deployed in coverage of the LTE cellso that the network assumes an environment capable of receiving a WLANservice by competing coupling with the WLAN so that the network assumesenvironment. Further, it is assumed that the enhanced ANDSF isconfigured in the UE.

The UE establishes RRC connection with the LTE cell (S1910).

The UE transmits UE traffic steering preference information to the LTEcell (S1920). The UE traffic steering preference information mayindicate that a legacy ANDSF is configured in the UE.

If the LTE cell receives the UE traffic steering preference informationindicating that the legacy ANDSF is configured, the LTE cell maydetermine whether to configure and transmit the traffic steeringinformation. If the traffic steering which is not preferred by the UE isgenerated according to the configured legacy ANDSF, the LTE cell may notconfigure the traffic steering information. Alternatively, the LTE cellmay configure the traffic steering information having no RAN rule andRAN rule parameter, and may transmit the traffic steering information tothe UE.

If the traffic steering evaluation condition according to the RAN ruleand/or the RAN rule parameter together with the legacy ANDSF configuredin the UE may cause the traffic steering preferred by the UE, the LTEgenerates traffic steering information suitably applicable to the legacyANDSF (S1930). The LTE cell may add the RAN rule and/or the RAN ruleparameter which is suitably applicable together with the legacy ANDSF tothe traffic steering information.

Alternatively, the LTE cell may generate traffic steering informationregardless of that the UE traffic steering preference informationindicates that the legacy ANDSF is configured. In this case, the LTEcell may add the RAN rule and/or the RAN rule parameter to the trafficsteering information.

If the LTE cell generates the traffic steering information, the LTE celltransmits the traffic steering information to the UE (S1940). Thetraffic steering information may include the RAN rule and/or the RANrule parameter.

The UE may determine a performing scheme of traffic steering evaluation.

If the UE does not receive the traffic steering information for aspecific time after transmitting the UE traffic steering preferenceinformation, the UE may determine to perform the traffic steeringevaluation based on the legacy ANDSF.

If the received traffic steering information does not include the RANrule and the RAN rule parameter, the UE may determine to perform thetraffic steering evaluation based on the legacy ANDSF.

When the received traffic steering information includes the RAN ruleand/or the RAN rule parameter, the UE determines whether the includedRAN rule and/or RAN rule parameter is suitably applicable to the legacyANDSF. The UE may update the legacy ANDSF to the RAN rule and/or the RANrule parameter which are suitably applicable. Meanwhile, the UE maydisregard the RAN rule and/or the RAN rule parameter which is notsuitably applicable.

The UE performs traffic steering evaluation based on the trafficsteering information (S1950). The UE may perform the traffic steeringevaluation based on the existing legacy ANDSF or the updated ANDSF. Ifthe steering evaluation condition is satisfied, the UE may determine toperform the traffic steering.

If the UE determined to perform the traffic steering, the UE performsthe traffic steering. The traffic steering performed by the UE mayinclude a procedure of routing the traffic to the WLAN/LTE accessnetwork (S1960). The UE may rout the LTE traffic to the WLAN BSS to beprocessed. The UE may rout the traffic processed through the WLAN BSS tothe LTE cell to be processed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of steeringtraffic according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, it is assumed that the UE supports both of LTEbased communication and WLAN based communication, and the LTE basedcommunication and the WLAN based communication may be independentlyachieved. In addition, the WLAN is deployed in coverage of the LTE cellso that the network assumes an environment capable of receiving a WLANservice by completing coupling with the WLAN. Further, it is assumedthat the UE is located in a roaming area and H-ANDSF received from anH-PLMN and V-ANDSF received from a V-PLMN are configured in the UE. Inaddition, it is assumed that the V-ANDSF is preferred to the H-ANDSF inthe roaming area according to a configuration of the H-PLMN.

The UE establishes RRC connection with the LTE cell (S2010).

The UE transmits UE traffic steering preference information to the LTEcell (S2020). The UE traffic steering preference information mayindicate that the V-ANDSF is configured in the UE and the V-ANDSF ispreferred to the H-ANDSF.

The LTE cell receiving the UE traffic steering preference informationgenerates traffic steering information (S2030). If the V-ANDSF is anenhanced ANDSF, the LTE cell may configure the traffic steeringinformation to include an RAN rule parameter so that the UE performstraffic steering based on the enhanced ANDSF and/or RAN rule. When LTEcell is capable of recognizing how the enhanced ANDSF is configured, theLTE cell may configure the traffic steering information to include onlyan RAN rule parameter associated with an ANDSF MO of the enhanced ANDSFand not to include an unassociated RAN rule parameter. As describedabove, the RAN rule parameter included in the traffic steeringinformation may include at least one threshold value for evaluatingtraffic steering.

Further, the LTE cell may configure the traffic steering information tofurther include an RAN rule associated with the RAN rule parameter. Asdescribed above, the RAN rule included in the traffic steeringinformation may specify the traffic steering evaluation condition.

The LTE cell transmits the traffic steering information including theRAN rule and/or the RAN rule parameter to the UE (S2040).

The UE receiving the traffic steering information updates the enhancedV-ANDSF (S2050). If the RAN rule parameter included in the trafficsteering information corresponds to the ANDSF MO configured in the UE,the UE may update the ANDSF MO to the RAN parameter.

In addition, when the traffic steering information includes the RAN rulespecifying the steering evaluation condition and the RAN rule isassociated with the ANDSF MO, the UE may update the traffic steeringevaluation condition associated with the ANDSF MO to a traffic steeringevaluation condition according to the RAN rule.

The UE receiving the traffic steering information performs measurementwith respect to the LTE cell and the WLAN BSS to acquire a measurementresult (S2060). The UE may selectively perform measurement based on theupdated ANDSF MO to acquire the measurement result associated with theANDSF MO.

The UE performs traffic steering evaluation (S2070). The UE may performthe traffic steering evaluation based on the traffic steering evaluationcondition associated with the updated ANDSF MO. If the steeringevaluation condition is satisfied, the UE may determine to performtraffic steering.

If the UE determines to perform the traffic steering, the UE performstraffic steering. The traffic steering performed by the UE may include aprocedure of routing the traffic to a WLAN/LTE access network (S2080).The UE may route the LTE traffic to the WLAN BSS to be processed. The UEmay route the traffic processed through the WLAN BSS to the LTE cell tobe processed.

In accordance with the method of steering traffic according to thepresent invention, the UE transmits preference information associatedwith traffic steering to the 3GPP access network so that a suitableinterworking policy may be configured in the UE. The UE performs trafficsteering through an interworking policy in which preference of the UE isreflected to efficiently process the traffic. Irreconcilableinterworking policy (or traffic steering rule) is prevented from beingconfigured in the UE so that a traffic process rate and reliability maybe improved.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless apparatus mayimplement the terminal and/or the network according to the aboveembodiment with reference to FIGS. 14 to 20.

Referring to FIG. 21, the wireless apparatus 2100 includes a processor2110, a memory 2120, and a radio frequency (RF) unit 2130.

The processor 2110 performs the proposed functions, processes and/ormethods. The processor 2110 may be configured to transmit and/or receivethe UE traffic steering preference information. The processor 2110 maybe configured so that the UE traffic steering preference informationindicates the traffic steering rule preferred by the wireless apparatus.The processor 2110 may be configured to transmit and/or receive presettraffic steering information based on the UE traffic steering preferenceinformation. The processor 2110 may perform the traffic steeringevaluation based on the traffic steering information to perform thetraffic steering. The processor 2110 may be configured to implement theembodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 14 to 20.

The RF unit 2130 is connected to the processor 2110, and sends andreceives radio signals. The RF unit 2130 may include at least one RFunit for 3GPP based access network communication and non-3GPP basedaccess network communication.

The processor 2110 may include Application-Specific Integrated Circuits(ASICs), other chipsets, logic circuits, and/or data processors. FIG. 21illustrates that a single processor 2110 controls and manages all RFunits for each access network communication. Each RF unit for eachaccess network communication is functionally coupled with eachprocessor.

The memory 2120 may include Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory(RAM), flash memory, memory cards, storage media and/or other storagedevices. The RF unit 2030 may include a baseband circuit for processinga radio signal. When the above-described embodiment is implemented insoftware, the above-described scheme may be implemented using a module(process or function) which performs the above function. The module maybe stored in the memory 2120 and executed by the processor 2110. Thememory 2120 may be disposed to the processor 2110 internally orexternally and connected to the processor 2110 using a variety ofwell-known means.

In the above exemplary systems, although the methods have been describedon the basis of the flowcharts using a series of the steps or blocks,the present invention is not limited to the sequence of the steps, andsome of the steps may be performed at different sequences from theremaining steps or may be performed simultaneously with the remainingsteps. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that thesteps shown in the flowcharts are not exclusive and may include othersteps or one or more steps of the flowcharts may be deleted withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for steering, by a user equipment (UE)within a visitor public land mobile network (VPLMN), traffic in awireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, to anetwork, access network discovery and selection functions(ANDSF)-related information comprising information on at least one of ahome ANDSF (H-ANDSF) configured by a home PLMN (HPLMN) or a visitorANDSF (V-ANDSF) configured by the VPLMN; receiving, from the network,traffic steering information which is generated by the network based onthe ANDSF-related information; and steering traffic based on thereceived traffic steering information.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe ANDSF-related information indicates that only one of either theH-ANDSF or the V-ANDSF is configured in the UE.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the ANDSF-related information indicates that both the H-ANDSFand the V-ANDSF are configured in the UE.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the ANDSF-related information indicates that the H-ANDSF ispreferred to the V-ANDSF or indicates that the V-ANDSF is preferred tothe H-ANDSF.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ANDSF-relatedinformation indicates whether the H-ANDSF or the V-ANDSF is an enhancedANDSF.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein when the ANDSF-relatedinformation indicates that the H-ANDSF or the V-ANDSF is the enhancedANDSF, the traffic steering information comprises a radio access network(RAN) rule parameter corresponding to an RAN rule configured by thenetwork.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein when the ANDSF-relatedinformation indicates that the H-ANDSF or the V-ANDSF is the enhancedANDSF, the traffic steering information comprises an RAN rule parameterassociated with an ANDSF management object (MO) of the enhanced ANDSF.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ANDSF-related informationindicates that the H-ANDSF or the V-ANDSF is preferred to an RAN ruleconfigured by the network.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the trafficsteering information does not comprise an RAN rule parametercorresponding to an RAN rule configured by the network.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the network is a 3rd generation partnership project(3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) access network.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the steering of the traffic comprises routing traffic of the3GPP LTE access network to a wireless local area network (WLAN) basicservice set (BSS).
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the steering ofthe traffic comprises routing traffic of the WLAN BSS to the 3GPP LTEaccess network.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising updatingthe H-ANDSF or V-ANDSF configured in the UE based on the receivedtraffic steering information.
 14. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising performing measurement with respect to the network based onthe received traffic steering information.
 15. A user terminal (UE) in awireless communication system, the UE comprising: a radio frequency (RF)unit configured to transmit or receive a radio signal; and a processorconnected to the RF unit, and configured to: transmit, to a network,access network discovery and selection functions (ANDSF)-relatedinformation comprising information on at least one of a home ANDSF(H-ANDSF) configured by a home PLMN (HPLMN) or a visitor ANDSF (V-ANDSF)configured by the VPLMN, receive, from the network, traffic steeringinformation which is generated by the network based on the ANDSF-relatedinformation, and steer traffic based on the received traffic steeringinformation.